The civil rights and black power movements expanded popular awareness of the history and culture of African Americans. But, as Stephen Hall observes, African American authors, intellectuals, ministers, and abolitionists had been writing the history of the black experience since the 1800s. Hall charts the origins, meanings, methods, evolution, and maturation of African American historical writing from the period of the Early Republic to the 20th century and provides a holistic portrait of African American history informed by developments within and outside the African American community

The civil rights and black power movements expanded popular awareness of the history and culture of African Americans. But, as Stephen Hall observes, African American authors, intellectuals, ministers, and abolitionists had been writing the history of the black experience since the 1800s. Hall charts the origins, meanings, methods, evolution, and maturation of African American historical writing from the period of the Early Republic to the 20th century and provides a holistic portrait of African American history informed by developments within and outside the African American community

Troubling the pages of historians : African American intellectuals and historical writing in the early republic, 1817-1837 -- To present a just view of our origin : creating an African American historical discourse, 1837-1850 -- The destiny of the colored people : African American history between compromise and jubilee, 1850-1863 -- The historical mind of emancipation : writing African American history at the dawn of freedom, 1863-1882 -- Advancement in numbers, knowledge, and power : African American history in post-reconstruction America, 1883-1915 -- To smite the rock of knowledge : the Black academy and the professionalization of history